Although the future remains unknown, the owners of Dante’s Pizza & Pasta House are hopeful they will soon know its fate.

Located at 261 W. High Ave. on the first floor of an historical, three-story brick structure, Dante’s was heavily damaged by fire that began in the kitchen area and swept through the entire building early Monday.

Insurance estimators ultimately will determine whether Dante’s will reopen, and Dan Drabik, who along with his wife, Betty, own the business, said Tuesday he is scheduled to meet with another insurance representative today.

No matter what the future, the Drabiks are thankful for the community’s support shown so far in their time of loss.

“We’ve really just been flooded and inundated with offers of help, and kind words, and just really appreciate that everybody’s got us on their minds — and that they’re thinking about us and reaching out,” Drabik said. “It’s somewhat of a comfort.”

The Drabiks are especially appreciative of the efforts of New Philadelphia firefighters, and those from other area departments, who put their lives on the line in battling the blaze.

“You don’t very often get to see them in action,” Drabik said. “Unfortunately, I had that opportunity, but I’ll tell you what, messing with fire is a huge risk and these guys, they never know what’s going to come at them and they go out there and do it bravely and professionally — and you can tell they care.”

Drabik said the firefighters did a great job for him and his wife, and he is really impressed. “You might drive by and say, ‘Hey, there’s nothing left,’ but you know what, the buildings on both sides of me are OK — and nobody got hurt.”

Drabik said he also wanted to express his gratitude to everyone involved in the early morning operation, which also included police officers, emergency ambulance and Salvation Army personnel.

The fire, which was reported at 2:34 a.m., was ruled undetermined Monday afternoon by the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office, according to New Philadelphia Fire Chief Jim Parrish.

Although tax records list the structure as having been built in 1867, Jerry Stoughton, historian and plaquing chairman for the Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association, said research shows a jump in tax valuation between 1880 and 1884 that suggests the house was built during that time.

“Also, the style of the house (early Queen Anne) reflects the 1880s rather than the 1860s,” Stoughton added.